New Year’s Eve in Britain: where to ring in 2018

With amazing fireworks lighting up London’s iconic skyline, Scotland’s world-famous Hogmanay , and partying with Santa in Cornwall, there’s nothing quite like celebrating New Year's Eve in Britain. Then, after all that revelry, join the Loony Dookers and start the New Year afresh (quite literally) with a customary New Year’s Day dip into Edinburgh’s wintery waters!

Fabulous fireworks in the heart of London, England

Join thousands of fellow firework lovers and watch London's extraordinary pyrotechnics bring in the New Year along the banks of the famous River Thames.

After the success of the 2011 Olympic Games welcome, the event has grown to massive proportions and is now ticketed.

See Edinburgh Castle aglow with fireworks for Hogmanay

Enjoy a special midnight moment surrounded by the historic beauty of Edinburgh as you're immersed in a fizzing atmosphere of fireworks and music.

Dance the night away at the Concert in the Gardens featuring live music, entertainment, DJs, giant screens, and outdoor bars – this year’s headliner is Rag’n’Bone man.

After the clock has struck midnight, grab your family and friends and join in the traditional song of Auld Lang Syne.

Burn away bad spirits with the Stonehaven Fireballs

Turn up the heat at the frosty festivities in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire (2 hours north of Edinburgh) where a fireball parade marches through the streets.

This amazing spectacle has been celebrated for more than 100 years, and always attracts a large crowd. Traditionally, the fiery furore was seen as a cleansing ritual to burn off bad spirits before the New Year begins.

Grab your winter warmers, and watch as the piper-led march heads a dazzling display of brave souls, all swinging fireballs above their heads!

Welcome in the New Year with witches and wizards

Take a trip to Cornwall and welcome in the New Year amongst goblins, witches, knights and even Santa!

See the idyllic town of St Ives transformed on New Year's Eve, as it becomes awash with partiers and revellers alike, all adorned in fancy dress. Thousands take to the streets for an evening of fun, as live bands perform in the harbour and local restaurants and pubs host their own themed events.

The evening celebrations culminate with the traditional countdown, ending in a firework display that lights up the whole harbour.

And on New Year's Day...

New Year’s Day Parade, London

London’s New Year’s Day Parade has evolved into one of the world’s great street spectaculars, with around 10,000 performers from across the world and a street-side audience approaching 500,000.

The parade starts at 12pm and is filled with marching bands, cheerleaders, acrobats, kites and more. There will be a yet another series of impressive indoor and outdoor performances, including those from representatives of each of London’s Boroughs.

New Year's Day Swim

Welcome in the New Year with a bracing swim at Saundersfoot , less than 2 hours’ drive from Cardiff in Wales. Don your fancy dress, get your hot drink on standby, and join more than 1,000 other swimmers in the icy waters.

Thousands crowd the surrounding beach to watch the swim, and enjoy fireworks and music prior to the culminating event.

Stoats Loony Dook, Edinburgh, Scotland

Join thousands of ‘Dookers’ taking part in this annual Stoats Loony Dook dip in Edinburgh’s freezing River Forth after their march along the High Street as part of the Dooker Parade.

The tradition has been going for 30 years and participants raise tens of thousands of pounds for charities. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the Dookers at various vantage points along the route or down on the beach.